Other shows have been aping Indian Idol: Anu Malik

By Hindustan Times

"Roses don’t always grow in the courtyard of kings, they can also grow in the backyard of beggars,” is music composer Anu Malik’s poetic line to describe the music reality show Indian Idol on Sony. The ever-changing show’s constant factor (Malik has been a judge on the show since the very beginning), he looks forward to a new season once again.

Not bothered by audience fatigue or TRPs, Malik says, “People have been asking me repeatedly about the next season. This is the one show that people associate with music completely. Other shows have been aping Indian Idol.”

Malik says he returns to Indian Idol every season to get a chance to discover amazing talent. “In the last six years, we have visited not just the metros, but the interiors of the country in search of talent. I have seen people from every strata of society trying to prove their talent. And I value people only for their talent,” he says.

This season, legendary singer Asha Bhosle is an addition to the show as the fourth judge. How will this help the show? Malik says, “That is the channel’s call and I didn’t even ask them. They can have 10 judges if they want. I am concerned about myself as people love to watch me on the show.”

Even so, Malik says, “She will bring along her immense experience. Her brain is very sharp even at the age of 80. You can’t take away her body of work from her, and that will bring an edge to the show. Ashaji will enter the show during the gala round, but Sunidhi (Chauhan), Salim (Merchant) and I have gone through the tough process of auditioning people.”

Sony aired another singing based reality show, X Factor last year instead of Indian Idol. How does he compare the two formats? “I wouldn’t be able to compare X Factor and Indian Idol as I wasn’t a judge on the former,” says Malik. “But there will never be another show like Indian Idol as Indians connect with the struggle, pain and victory of a regular person on a show that allows them to choose the winner.”